Memorial Parkway, Research Park Boulevard among state repaving projects

View full sizeThe state plans to repave the main lanes of the limited access portion of Memorial Parkway, shown here in an undated file photo, but wants the city to take over maintenance of the service roads. (The Huntsville Times/File photo)

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - The state plans to pave parts of several major routes through town in the next two years, but the city and the state don't agree on who will maintain the service roads on Memorial Parkway.

The planned work includes much of Memorial Parkway, most of Research Park Boulevard between Redstone Arsenal and University Drive, and a short stretch of University Drive.

The repaving work is among several projects that the Metropolitan Planning Organization is expected to add to the 2012-2015 Transportation Improvement Program at its meeting Wednesday. The meeting will be at 3:30 p.m. in the City Council conference room on the seventh floor of City Hall.

The state plans to repave Memorial Parkway (U.S. 231) from the Tennessee River Bridge to north of Meadowbrook Drive in fiscal 2012-2013, which begins Oct. 1, at an estimated cost of $3.4 million.

It will also repave Research Park Boulevard (Alabama 255) from Gate 9 of Redstone Arsenal to one-half mile south of University Drive this fiscal year at an estimated cost of $2.8 million.

Another amendment to the 2012-2015 plan includes repaving almost all of the limited access portion of Memorial Parkway and a short stretch of University Drive just west of Research Park Boulevard.

The state plans to repave University Drive (U.S. 72) from east of Enterprise Way to the Research Park Boulevard southbound ramp in fiscal 2013 at an estimated cost of $500,000.

Two separate repaving projects on Memorial Parkway will cover almost the entire limited access section of the highway, and is a source of conflict between the state and the city.

The state plans to repave Memorial Parkway (U.S. 231) from north of Martin Road to Governors Drive (U.S. 431) this year at an estimated cost of $1.1 million. It also plans to repave Memorial Parkway from Governors Drive to south of Oakwood Avenue this year for an estimated $1.1 million.

The state's budgets for the repavings do not include repaving the Memorial Parkway service roads.

The state built the service roads and have always maintained and repaved them but now wants the city to assume those responsibilities. The city is balking at taking over the service roads.

Johnny Harris, the area division engineer for the DOT, said the two sides are discussing the issue. The state thinks the city would benefit by having more flexibility addressing utility cuts in the service roads and development along the road if it has control of the service roads, Harris said.

The matter could be resolved in the next few weeks, he said.

The state could add money later to repave the service roads if an agreement can't be worked out with the city, Harris said.

Governors Drive lane closings

Motorists can expect some delays on Governors Drive today and Saturday when the contractor widening Governors Drive closes one of the eastbound lanes.

The right eastbound lane between Longwood Drive and Bassett Street will be closed today and Saturday from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. each day for workers to install underground utilities.

On Saturday, the contractor will close the right eastbound lane between Whitesburg Drive and California Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to replace the pavement. The closing will include the turn lanes from Governors Drive to Franklin Street, and the through lane for southbound drivers on Franklin Street who want to cross Governors Drive and continue south on Franklin Street.

To leave a comment or question about traffic or roads, contact Keith Clines at 256-532-4236, email keith.clines@htimes.com, tweet @KeithClines or fax 256-532-4420.